The tale, "All I Goat for Christmas," is by comic book scribe Brian Azzarello, best known for his "100 Bullets" series. I'm a casual Billy Goat patron, and I've known Azzarello socially after writing an introduction for one of his "100 Bullets" collections. The pairing of Azzarello and the curse seemed fateful.

A few months ago, Azzarello got a call from his editors at DC Comics, saying the Christmas "Hellblazer" issue would collect stories that were location-centric. But what supernatural threat could Constantine take on in Chicago?

"The 800-pound gorilla in the room was the curse," said Azzarello, referring to the alleged curse placed on the Chicago Cubs by tavern owner William Sianis after he and his pet goat were denied admission to a 1945 World Series game at Wrigley Field.

Azzarello approached the Sianis family through a friend about setting the Constantine story in the bar. (The character was played by Keanu Reeves in the 2005 movie "Constantine.") The family agreed.

"We get all sorts of ideas on how to break the curse, and this was one of the more interesting," said Bill Sianis, manager and son of current owner Sam Sianis.